Miami Marlins cleaning up, sweep Padres at home

After a three-game series that tested them in several ways, the Miami Marlins managed to rise to the challenge every time.

After returning from a successful road trip, the Miami Marlins were hoping to keep the good times rolling in Marlins Park. They succeeded. On a Sunday matinee, Miami managed to blow open the finale, leaving the Padres only three outs to mount a comeback.

They couldn’t do it. The final game in the series sweep was everything you need to know about these Miami Marlins. They stuck around long enough to make a go of it late in the game. On a night with historically significant personal achievements, team success says the most.

The Miami Marlins continue to find ways to win. They’re putting pressure on the wildcard teams they’re chasing.

The marquee moment of the game is undoubtedly the 50th home run off the bat of Giancarlo Stanton. His reign of terror on opposing pitching in the month of August continued. With one more this month, he’ll tie the all-time record with 18 August home runs.

It would take a minor slump to keep him from getting to 60 home runs this year.

More importantly, his home run broke a 2-2 tie in the bottom of the eighth inning. With Dee Gordon on first base, Stanton provided the decisive blow in an important game against the Padres. Christian Yelich followed with a triple that hugged the first base line.

An errant throw to third base allowed him to take home. A big league home run, followed by a little league home run. Dietrich would pull one down the right field line later that inning to open the lead to 6-2.

Ziegler made quick work of the Padres in the ninth, and the win was in the books.

Heading to Washington

The Miami Marlins have been winning the games they’re supposed to win. That’s the mark of a good team. The mark of a great team is competing against the best, and winning. (That is a line I stole from the movie “Bring It On”, with Kirsten Dunst).

They’ve had some success against the Nationals this year, posting a 6-7 record. If they’re going to keep their hot streak alive, they’ll need to play three complete ballgames. The division leader is deadly from top to bottom.

Next: Three things the Marlins must to do contend this year

Credit Don Mattingly for pulling all the right strings this season. The Marlins appeared to be dead in the water at various points this season. They haven’t been deterred.